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Key Syrian rebel leader linked to al Qaeda

April 10 - Western powers who have been calling for Syrian President Bashar al Assad to step down are now dealing with reports that a key rebel leader is linked with al Qaeda. Deborah Gembara reports.

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Western powers reluctant to become too directly involved in Syria's now two-year-old conflict may have now have even more reason to be concerned. They learned on Wednesday about a key rebel leader's alliance with al-Qaeda.
In an audio recording released on the internet, the head of al Nusra front, Abu Mohammad al-Golani swears his allegiance to the al Qaeda. Since the conflict began, many in the west and elsewhere have called for President Bashar al Assad to step down.
This new development will likely factor in to just how much aid western powers will provide. So far the U.S. and other have limited their efforts in Syria to humanitarian aid, resisting pleas by rebels for arms.

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